Islamabad MoU in Focus as Pakistan's Dar Urges Iran-US Diplomacy at SCO Ministerial
Pakistan's top diplomat was active on two diplomatic fronts in late July 2026: pressing Iran and the United States to return to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding signed the previous month, while advancing Pakistan's agenda as incoming chair of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation at a foreign ministers' meeting held in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan.
🗳️ Dar Presses Iran and US to Honor the Islamabad MoU
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Council of Foreign Ministers meeting held in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyz Republic. At the bilateral, Dar expressed deep concern over recent regional tensions and underscored the importance of dialogue, restraint, and de-escalation by all parties as prerequisites for lasting peace and stability in the region. He emphasized the need to build on the understandings reached under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding of June 2026, calling on the United States and Iran to return to diplomacy grounded in that agreement, which Washington and Tehran had signed in June. The two sides reaffirmed the close and longstanding ties between Pakistan and Iran and reviewed the evolving regional situation. Foreign Minister Araghchi expressed appreciation for Pakistan's continued diplomatic support and its constructive efforts in promoting regional peace and security. He also thanked Pakistan for facilitating the safe return of Iranian fishermen and crew members, including those from vessels that had been interdicted by the United States, acknowledging Pakistan's close coordination with Iranian, American, and other relevant authorities to ensure safe transit through Pakistani territory and eventual return to Iran. Separately on the same sidelines, Dar held a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, with the two leaders exchanging views on bilateral relations, regional developments, and cooperation within multilateral forums, and Wang Yi noting appreciation for Pakistan's diplomatic efforts for regional peace and stability. [2]
🗳️ Islamabad Set to Lead SCO as Dar Concludes Two-Day Kyrgyzstan Visit
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar concluded a two-day visit to Kyrgyzstan by reaffirming Pakistan's commitment to advancing regional cooperation through the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and highlighting Islamabad's readiness to assume the organisation's chairmanship for the 2026-27 term. According to the Foreign Office, Dar's participation in the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers meeting, held in Cholpon-Ata from July 23 to 24, provided a platform to reinforce Pakistan's historic ties with SCO member states and to promote an agenda centered on regional connectivity, economic integration, and shared prosperity. The Foreign Office spokesperson noted that Dar utilized both formal sessions and informal engagements with counterparts to outline Pakistan's priorities for making SCO mechanisms more effective in promoting socio-economic cooperation and regional development. On the sidelines of the ministerial gathering, the Deputy Prime Minister held extensive bilateral discussions with the foreign ministers of China, Iran, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, exchanging views on bilateral relations, regional developments, and multilateral cooperation. Dar also attended an informal dinner hosted by Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Zheenbek Moldokanovich Kulubaev in honor of the participating ministers, using the occasion to further deepen diplomatic ties and to promote Pakistan's vision and priorities for the upcoming SCO chairmanship year with member states across the region. [6]
Sources: [2] The Express Tribune · [6] Pakistan Today